INEXPLICABLE TIES THAT BIND — A REVIEW

When Adrienne Dealey arrives on Nantucket Island, she is broke, rudderless, and running from a life of lost connections and relationship woes.

A motherless child at twelve, most of Adrienne’s life has been about fleeing from the past.

On her first day in Nantucket, she meets Thatcher Smith, one of the owners of the Blue Bistro, a legend in its own time, famous for its cuisine and its reclusive chef and co-owner, Fiona Kemp.

When Thatcher hires her, he also lets her know that this summer is the final season for the Blue Bistro. That is fine with Adrienne, who is accustomed to short-term gigs and ties that do not bind.

So, surprisingly, what happens to Adrienne in the upcoming months will change the course of her life forever. Will she finally discover the real kind of love? And what will the secrets binding Fiona to Thatcher mean for her tenuous future? And what, finally, will Adrienne discover about herself for the first time since her mother died?

At first, I thought this would be a simple beach read, with typical romantic connections, but I was very wrong. The Blue Bistro delves into the mysteries of human connections and the ties that bind us to one another inexplicably. It leads the reader down unexpected pathways as the fears, insecurities, and haunting past mistakes of the characters connect us to them as we keep turning pages, wondering how the journey will end.

It is a tale of unexpected opportunity, self-discovery, and second chances: a five star read, this tome is a fascinating exploration that is not predictable and kept me guessing until the final pages. Highly recommended for Hilderbrand fans and for those who want something meatier than the usual light romantic fare.